What medications cause leg cramps at night?
Rachel Davis
Updated on July 01, 2026
Medications that are strongly associated with leg cramps include intravenous iron sucrose, conjugated estrogens, raloxifene, naproxen, and teriparatide.
What medications cause severe leg cramps?
These medications can cause leg cramps in 3% of people who take them or less:
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
- Celecoxib (Celebrex)
- Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
- Pregabalin (Lyrica)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Short-acting inhalers such as ipratropium/albuterol (Combivent) and levalbuterol (Xopenex).
What are you lacking if you get leg cramps at night?
Too little potassium, calcium or magnesium in your diet can contribute to leg cramps. Diuretics — medications often prescribed for high blood pressure — also can deplete these minerals.
Can blood pressure medicine cause leg cramps?
Calcium channel blockers, which are used to treat high blood pressure. These can cause leg swelling. Diuretics. These can cause leg cramps.
How do you stop leg cramps immediately?
How do I stop a leg cramp? Try forcefully stretching the affected muscle (for example, stretch your calf muscle by flexing your foot upward). Jiggle your leg, massage it, or force yourself to walk. It might also help to apply ice or heat – use a heating pad or take a warm bath.
38 related questions foundCan amlodipine besylate cause leg cramps?
ANSWER: Muscle cramps are extremely common in people with or without blood pressure problems, and I have not had a person with cramps that went away on stopping amlodipine. The fact that they came back when you restarted it, however, is pretty strong evidence that the amlodipine may be causing it in you.
Do bananas help with leg cramps?
You probably know that bananas are a good source of potassium. But they'll also give you magnesium and calcium. That's three out of four nutrients you need to ease muscle cramps tucked under that yellow peel. No wonder bananas are a popular, quick choice for cramp relief.
What is the best over the counter medicine for leg cramps?
Medication. Over-the-counter painkillers won't make the cramping immediately go away, but ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and/or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help ease the pain associated with the cramps.
What is the best vitamin for leg cramps?
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and is essential for regulating your body's functioning. It's involved in more than 300 of your body's biochemical processes, including muscle contraction and nerve transmission. Magnesium is a widely used remedy for leg cramps.
What can I drink for leg cramps?
Drink Water
A way to get relief from muscle cramps before they even begin is to drink enough water. Dehydration often plays a part in muscle cramps, so drinking enough water throughout the day can help keep them at bay. Drinking fluids while you have a cramp helps the muscles contract and relax.
What deficiency causes muscle cramps?
Vitamin D and Calcium Deficiency are the prime reasons to cause muscle cramps and joint pains. It is important for each of us to know our vitamin levels in the body so that accordingly we can take supplements, and special nutrients to our diet and most importantly if required, seek medical help.
Does pickle juice help with cramps?
The same set of researchers also did a test on pickle juice for cramps earlier in 2010. They found that it did work to shorten cramp duration. On average, it relieved cramps in about 1.5 minutes, and 45 percent faster than when nothing was taken after exercise.
What are 5 common causes of muscle cramps?
What causes muscle cramps?
- Straining or overusing a muscle. ...
- Compression of your nerves, from problems such as a spinal cord injury or a pinched nerve in the neck or back.
- Dehydration.
- Low levels of electrolytes such as magnesium, potassium, or calcium.
- Not enough blood getting to your muscles.
- Pregnancy.
- Certain medicines.
How can I stop night cramps?
Nocturnal Leg Cramp Prevention
- Stretch during the day and before bed. Focus on your calf and foot muscles.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Move around during the day to exercise your feet and legs.
- Wear comfortable, supportive shoes.
- Sleep under loose covers, especially if you sleep on your back.
Is there a cure for nocturnal leg cramps?
Some evidence suggests that drinking a small amount of pickle juice may help relieve muscle cramps. Take an over-the-counter painkiller if your leg is sore after. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) can help relieve tenderness after a cramp.
Is there a pill for leg cramps?
Homeopathically-prepared Cinchona Officinalis is a safe and natural ingredient to relieve leg cramp pain. There are no known side effects and the medicine will not conflict with any medications you may be taking.
Does lack of salt cause cramp?
Low sodium is probably the biggest driver of muscle cramping during exercise. If sodium lost through sweat isn't replaced—and if the athlete over-hydrates with plain water—cramps are likely to occur.
Why is amlodipine given at night?
New research suggests that taking your blood pressure medication at bedtime may more effectively reduce your risk of illness or death due to heart and blood vessel disease. Timing of medication is important because blood pressure follows a daily rhythm. It rises higher during the day and falls at night when we sleep.
What should you avoid when taking amlodipine?
Amlodipine Interactions with Alcohol
Combined use of alcohol and amlodipine may lead to some severe side effects like dizziness or lightheadedness. It is best to avoid alcohol when you are on amlodipine.
What are the side effects of amlodipine?
Amlodipine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs.
- headache.
- upset stomach.
- nausea.
- stomach pain.
- dizziness or lightheadedness.
- drowsiness.
- excessive tiredness.
What causes Charlie horses in toes?
If you often feel cramping in your toes and feet, you likely want to know why. Common reasons include not drinking enough water, not getting enough exercise, and wearing shoes that are just not a good fit. Certain medical conditions, or drugs prescribed to treat them, may contribute to the problem as well.
What causes Charlie horses in your legs at night?
Leg cramps at night, or nocturnal leg cramps, are common and can occur due to inactivity during the day, tired muscles, or certain medical conditions. Leg cramps, also called charley horses, are uncontrolled spasms in the muscles of the leg that may be painful.
Does mustard stop leg cramps?
A shortage of acetic acid can also cause cramps. The body uses acetic acid to produce acetylcholine, which is essential for leg muscle contractions. This is why mustard is effective for leg cramp relief. Mustard contains acetic acid.
What kind of pickle juice works for leg cramps?
If you've had major cramping problems during your workouts or races, it might be worth giving pickle juice a try. The procedure from Miller et al. calls for drinking 2-3 fluid ounces of pickle juice—in the studies, strained from regular Vlasic dill pickles—as soon as possible following the onset of a cramp.
What are symptoms of lack of magnesium?
What are the symptoms of magnesium deficiency symptoms?
- loss of appetite.
- nausea and vomiting.
- fatigue and weakness.
- shaking.
- pins and needles.
- muscle spasms.
- hyperexcitability.
- sleepiness.